Imperial Spice Restaurant and Bar — Restaurant in Tracy

Food here is undeniably better and more authentic than any other Indian place in town, and including out of town places it’s by far the best I have ever had. Staff in the front of house aren’t quite familiar with the menu yet but they are super friendly and eager to learn. Cannot stress enough how incredible the food was, owner and chef came out to greet us and ask for our thoughts, all very kind people. It’s all plated beautifully which is not something we see in Tracy often (if at all) for ANY kind of restaurant so that was a very nice surprise. Menu is extensive, the mango lassi was delicious with notes of rose and almond, we got the beet and apple salad (pictured)which we absolutely loved and have been craving ever since, the mixed vegetable pakora was savory and perfectly crispy, we got another appetizer we forgot to take a photo of but that was really good as well. The naan is thin and bubbles up gorgeously from the heat and stays that way served. Saffron rice was good but the real kicker was the butter chicken and chicken tikka masala actually tasted different from one another (unlike other restaurants), and had such amazing depth with chicken that melts in your mouth and doesn’t have the weird rubbery microwave texture that has unfortunately become the norm. I will say the mild was still a bit too spicy so keep that in mind, but I can’t picture any logical reason I would ever go to another place for Indian food ever again despite the heat. I’m very happy we live close by. We will be regulars here and our guests we invited to try the place out with us said the same! This restaurant is putting so much care into what they are doing and you can taste it. Everything about this was a pleasant surprise and I wish them so...

It appears that both the management and the chef have changed since that previous awesome dinner. To give benefit of doubt I went and tried them again total of four times. The food is nice. Nothing to rave about. Good for a change. The service though is extremely slow. And most times they seem short staffed . Food takes forever to arrive

2023/2024 Review=== This was a great find for us. Thank you for a great experience . We will definitely be a repeat customer and are happy to refer to this place to others . We ordered Dahi Puri Corn Tikki Palak Chat Aloo Gavar Bean Bhujia Kadhai Paneer Daal Makhani Butter Naan Garlic Naan Saffron Rice Falooda

Everything was good . The Dahi in Dahi Puri had a slight essence in it and was sweet. It was different from what we expected but was good nevertheless. We were apprehensive about the Corn Tikki as it mentioned vanilla yogurt in the menu but the item was really good. The staff was supremely confident about this item and even said they will take it back if we did not like it. ‘Alu Gavar Bean sabzi’ was the surprise winner. It is one brave thing to have ‘Gavaar’ on the menu and it is another to pull off such a wonderful preparation . If you can get a college junior to have Gavaar Subzi you have a winner in your hands. Kudos. They even custom made it for us without adding chilli powder and the taste was intact. Dal Makhani and Kadhai Paneer were ordered medium spicy and they were perfect. You could actually taste the flavor of real saffron ( and see strands) in the saffron rice . It was cooked very well . We finished the meal with Falooda. Staff members were very courteous and made sure we got what we wanted and that we were satisfied....

I never write reviews but I am more than appalled at their service. We rented the banquet hall for 43 people. $35 per person, $150 for insurance just to rent the place, $8 for one table cloth, $250 for deposit. I don't know why they charged for insurance but he swears that renting any hall cost 150. Sure. That's fine. Heck, I was totally fine paying for this But the service?

1. Late - I told the owner the decors will arrive at 930am the DAY BEFORE and it was time sensitive the day before. He agreed. The owner shows up or rather sends someone at 9:45 and leaves us waiting. I called him several times and texted him. He doesn't pick up.
2. Tables and decors- when we arrived, there were tables everywhere, incredibly disorganized with dirty lines. We were on a time crunch since my party started at 11. I literally had to move all the tables and chairs and to remind them for clean linen which I paid for
3. We had to ask for water after an hour into our function. Did they promptly bring it out? Yes. But who the heck asks for water for an event with such a large group
4. Air conditioning - we had to remind them TWICE to turn on the air conditioning because it was hot and stuffy there
5. overall ambience - looks old with worn out carpet.
6. waiters- literally had to track each service men who would hide in the kitchen to ask them for things.

Was the food good? Sure. The experience? No freaking way. I have brought this up to the owner and he gave me a vague apology. But for the amount I paid and with where it was, please save your money and have a house party. You are better...